The Lower Hudson Valley's Aquatic Invasive Species
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Watercraft Inspection Steward Field Guide A FIELD GUIDE TO The Lower Hudson Valley’s Aquatic Invasive Species NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION Samantha Epstein Invasive Species Program Coordinator Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc Table of Contents Overview………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1 New AIS Regulations……………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1 New York Prohibited Species……………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....1 Spread Prevention/Clean Boating Practices…………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2 Aquatic Invertebrates Chinese Mystery Snail………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………3 Asian Clam……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4 Zebra Mussel………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………….5 Spiny Water Flea…………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………6 Chinese Mitten Crab….….……………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………….7 Asian Shore Crab………….………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8 Rusty Crayfish………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9 Fish Goldfish………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10 Common Carp…………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………11 Northern Snakehead………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….12 Oriental Weatherfish……….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….13 Round Goby……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14 Sea Lamprey...................…………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………….15 Submersed Aquatic Vegetation Fanwort…………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………16 Brazilian Elodea……….…………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………17 Hydrilla……….……………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..18 Parrot Feather………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..19 Variable Leaf Milfoil….……..…………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………..20 Eurasian Water Milfoil……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………21 Table of Contents Cont. Brittle Naiad…….…………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….22 Curly Leaf Pondweed……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...23 Floating Aquatic Vegetation European Frogbit……………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….24 Yellow Floating Heart……………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………25 Water Chestnut…………….………………..…….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………26 Facultative Species Yellow Iris…………………………………….………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….27 Purple Loosestrife……………………………..…………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...28 Phragmites……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..29 Native Lookalike: American Waterweed/Common Elodea………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....….30 Sources……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………30-31 Image Credits………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………….……………32-34 General Overview Prohibited Species An invasive species is defined as one that is non-native to the New York State has listed numerous terrestrial and aquatic species as ecosystem, causes harm or has the potential to cause harm to the prohibited and regulated. These new regulations were published in economy, ecology, or to human health, and the species’ harmful September 2014, and became effective in March 2015. The new impacts significantly outweighs its benefits. Some of the invasive regulation (6 NYCRR Part 575 Prohibited and Regulated Invasive species found in the Lower Hudson Region are already widespread, Species) prohibits 69 plants, 15 fish species, 17 aquatic invertebrates, 5 while others can be established, emerging, or still a threat. There are terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates 3 species of algae and also species that are approaching the region, and can be found in cyanobacteria, and more. These prohibited species range from the neighboring regions. mute swan to hydrilla to the spiny water flea. This field guide does not list all of the species approaching or already in Aquatic Invasive Species now prohibited in NY include: the region. It gives a general overview of the most common species found throughout the area (water chestnut), and species that we are Killer Green Algae Bighead Carp on the lookout for (hydrilla). Didymo Oriental Weatherfish Golden Algae Black Carp New Regulations Fanwort Round Goby A new amendment to Subdivision (i) of § 377.1 of Title 9 NYCRR has Brazilian Waterweed Sea Lamprey been approved by the New York Office of Parks, Recreation, and Hydrilla, Water Thyme Tubenose Goby Historic Preservation that is designed to control the introduction and European Frogbit Tench spread of aquatic invasive species at facilities under OPRHP jurisdiction. Yellow Iris Chinese Mystery Snail Under the newly amended legislation, one must take reasonable Purple loosestrife Japanese Mystery Snail precautions to stop the spread of AIS: Parrot-feather Faucet Snail Summarized: Prior to launching and when leaving the site, the Broadleaf Water-milfoil Spiny Water Flea operator shall inspect for and remove any plant, aquatic life or Broadleaf water-milfoil Fishhook Water Flea animal, or parts thereof, and dispose in designated receptacles or hybrid Asian Clam in such a manner to avoid contact of the material with the Eurasian watermilfoil Suminoe Oyster waterbody. Measures must also be taken before arriving at a new Yellow floating heart Carpet Tunicate site or leaving the current site to drain the watercraft (bilge area, Curly leaf pondweed Zebra Mussel livewells, bait wells, and ballast tanks) – Effective Nov. 12, 2014 Water chestnut Quagga Mussel NY Senate also amended the navigation law to include a section about Northern Snakehead Chinese Mitten Crab universal AIS signage at launches. Bullseye Snakehead Asian Shore Crab Summarized: The Department of Environmental Conservation will Giant Snakehead Bloody Red Shrimp design and establish universal signage which will be posted at any Walking Catfish Rusty Crayfish access point to the navigable waters of the state relating to the Western Mosquitofish New Zealand Mud Snail threat and mitigation of AIS. Owners of each public boat launch Eastern Mosquitofish Vined Rapa Whelk shall conspicuously post the universal sign at each public boat Largescale Silver Carp Asian Sea Squirt launch in the state Silver Carp Mute Swan Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers There are many pathways for spreading aquatic invasive species. An invasive species can be introduced for cultural reasons (e.g. food), through accidental introductions (e.g. hitchhiker on boat, ballast water, dumping aquaria species), through the pet and aquarium trade (releasing aquarium pets and plants into a waterbody), bait, waterfowl, and more. The best defense that we have against new introductions is PREVENTION. An important way to prevent one of the biggest AIS pathways – hitchhikers on boats – is by using clean boating practices when entering a new body of water and before leaving a body of water. The three key components to clean boating include: Clean – Remove all visible mud, plants, fish, animal, organisms, and debris from your boat, trailer, and any equipment that came into contact with the water. Always clean your boat before leaving a body of water. Discard all potential hitchhikers in the proper disposal station when provided, or above the high water line. Drain – Eliminate water from all equipment (motors, live wells, ballast, waders, etc.) before leaving the site. Dry – Dry anything that came into contact with the water. If possible, decontaminate your boat and equipment with hot (<140°F), high pressure water. If this is not an option, allow your boat to dry for at least 5 days before entering new waters. 2 Chinese Mystery Snail Cipangopaludina chinensis/Bellamya chinensis A FIELD GUIDE TO Identification The Chinese mystery snail has large, globose, smooth, and strong shells. The shell can grow 6.5 cm in height, usually has 6-7 convex whorls and the inner coloration is white to pale blue. It exhibits light coloration as a juvenile and olive green, greenish brown, brown, or reddish brown coloration as an adult. The shell has an oblong-shaped operculum (“trap door”) THE LOWER HUDSON VALLEY’S AIS that displays concentric growth rings. The operculum allows the snail to close the opening of the shell when water conditions become unfavorable or when being attacked by a predator Impacts Chinese mystery snail was found to cause declines in growth and abundance of native snail species, likely through Native Range competition for food. They are also less vulnerable to predation by the invasive rusty crayfish due to their larger size The Chinese mystery snail is native to Eastern Russia, China, and thicker shells than native snails. The Chinese mystery snail Japan, Korea, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. can also reduce algal biomass, which changes the Nitrogen:Phosphorus ratio. They are also a nuisance to water Spread intake pipelines, often clogging the screens and inhibiting the flow of water. Probably introduced through the aquarium trade or as an Chinese mystery snails can also serve as vectors for importation for food markets, the Chinese mystery snail spreads transmitting parasites